Moving from Lewisville, TX to Des Moines, IA
The drive from Lewisville, TX to Des Moines, IA runs 722 mi — about 12h 44m on interstate, longer with stops. Long-range relocations typically bring real shifts in cost of living, housing prices, climate, and job market. Below, each of those layers is pulled from its source (BEA, Census, Zillow, BLS, NOAA) for a direct comparison.
722 mi · 12h 44m by car · IA → MO → KS → OK → TX
Distance & route
| Route through | IA → MO → KS → OK → TX |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 35, I 470, I 70 |
| Major cities en route | Kansas City, Independence, Lee S Summit, Kansas City, Overland Park |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Lewisville | Des Moines | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 103.09 | 91.701 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 90.711 | 84.585 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 102.838 | 93.73 | 100.0 |
| Services | 117.874 | 84.741 | 100.0 |
Des Moines is 11.0% cheaper than Lewisville overall, per BEA Regional Price Parities (2024).
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Typical home value in Des Moines is 11.0% below Lewisville — $393,896 vs $208,166 per Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Lewisville -5.2%, Des Moines +0.8%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Lewisville | Des Moines |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 65°F | 51°F |
| January avg low | 34°F | 14°F |
| July avg high | 95°F | 86°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.1" | 36.5" |
| Annual precipitation | 38.9" | 36.6" |
Climate cools by 14.5°F on the annual average — 65.4°F → 50.9°F.
Des Moines averages 36.5 in of annual snowfall on the NOAA 1991–2020 normals — a full winter setup (heavy coat, snow tires, chains) is worth unpacking first.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: GRAPEVINE DAM, TX US, DES MOINES INTL AP, IA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Lewisville | Des Moines |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 128,313 | 212,464 |
| Median household income | $85,002 | $63,966 |
| Median age | 34.8 | 34.6 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 26.2% | 19.9% |
| Avg household size | 2.56 | 2.36 |
Income gap is large: median household income drops 11.0% between Lewisville and Des Moines (ACS 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Des Moines MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 48,550 | $46,670 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 35,680 | $36,420 |
| Business and Financial Operations Occupations | 34,890 | $78,150 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 33,360 | $45,430 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 30,210 | $30,100 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Texas and Iowa
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Iowa's DMV for the current deadline to transfer driver license and vehicle registration after establishing residency. Consult a tax professional for your specific filing situation — state tax treatment depends on residency, sourcing, and reciprocity agreements.
Best time to move
Moving companies typically charge 20–30% more between Memorial Day and Labor Day (peak season). October through April offers the lowest rates and better mover availability.
To avoid mid-semester school transfers, most U.S. families schedule moves between mid-June and mid-August. Public school calendars typically run late August or early September through late May or early June.
Packing & arrival checklist
- You are moving to a much snowier climate — Des Moines averages 36.5 in annually vs 0.1 in at origin. Don't bury the winter gear in a hard-to-reach box.
- You are moving to a noticeably colder climate (14.5°F lower annual average). Thermal layers, insulated boots, and a heavier winter coat should ride in the car, not the truck.
- Tornado season runs April through June — identify a safe room or interior space early.
- Arrange utility connection (power, internet, gas, water) two weeks ahead of move-in.
- Update mailing address with USPS change-of-address within the first week post-move.
- Register to vote in Iowa after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
When is the best time to move from Lewisville to Des Moines?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 722 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How far is Des Moines, IA from Lewisville, TX?
The driving distance is 722 mi and the route typically takes 12h 44m via I 35 and I 470. The trip crosses 5 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How much do homes cost in Des Moines compared to Lewisville?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $208,166 in Des Moines vs $393,896 in Lewisville — a 47.2% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in Lewisville vs Des Moines?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $63,966 in Des Moines vs $85,002 in Lewisville — a 24.7% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
What is the climate difference between Lewisville and Des Moines?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 50.9°F in Des Moines vs 65.4°F in Lewisville (14.5°F colder). Annual snowfall: 36.5 in vs 0.1 in. Annual precipitation: 36.6 in vs 38.9 in.
Is Des Moines more expensive than Lewisville?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Des Moines is 11.0% lower than Lewisville (91.701 vs 103.09, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does the job market in Des Moines compare to Lewisville?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $49,550 in the Des Moines MSA vs $48,440 in the Lewisville MSA, on total employment of 383,190 and 3,966,500 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Lewisville.
City profiles: Lewisville, TX · Des Moines, IA.